I heard Maya Angelo speak at my all-girl, Catholic high school reunion a few years ago. St. Scholastica highlights women who have made a difference in the world. I had not read any of her books before hearing her speak, but afterward, I picked up I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings and it was like hearing this prolific speaker all over again. Maya's account of growing up in the segregated South is honest, courageous and sometimes funny. Here's an exerpt: "The angel of the candy counter had found me out at last, and was exacting excruciating penance for all the stolen Milky Ways, Mounds, Mr. Goodbars and Hersheys with Almonds. I had two cavities that were rotten to the gums. The pain was beyond the bailiwick of crushed aspirins or oil of cloves. Only one thing could help me now, so I prayed earnestly that I'd by allowed to sit under the house and have the building collapse on my left jaw."

This is a great book for teen discussion groups because it deals with a wide range of teen and young adult issues. ( )

This is not an easy book to read. It does not describe an idyllic childhood. That being said, this is a great book. Maya Angelou's prose describes her childhood with deft lyricism, humor, and beauty. She took the sometimes awful circumstances of growing up as a black child in the south and made something lovely and real. This book doesn't shy away from injustice, hatred, or betrayal which makes it an often painful read. I can't say that I liked it. But it made me think, made me feel, it's going to haunt me for a long time, and I would definitely consider rereading it someday. For these reason, I'm giving it five stars. ( )

I was tasked with reading this book for one of my lit. classes last year. When it comes to biographies and autobiographies, I find that I either love them or hate them. In this case it was the latter. Many people tell me about how they found this account life-changing or enlightening, but I found it a struggle to finish this book. Although Angelou has certainly experienced more difficulties than I have, I found her voice throughout the book to be somewhat complaining and apathetic. I was utterly relieved when I finally finished this book. If you are the kind of person who likes to dig deep into other people's business, then you might like this book. For me, I had to learn way more than I cared to know about someone who interested me little in the first place. ( )

The back cover of this edition lies. I felt that as you're reading your waiting for a revelation and then the book ends. It was enjoyable and it is a nice insight into two of the lifestyles in that time period. But i didn't really feel that it was a life changing book and that's where the back cover lies. She shows no change in her life other than she grows up and maybe gets a little brighter on the scenarios of life. I might have to read her other works to get it better. ( )